Hello, When I first started this journey I stumbled across the “contest” path. At the time I thought it was what I was capable of doing, coming up with and idea and just click submit.I found myself not feeling good about that path, it just felt like something was not right. Currently I am on the “hard work” path, which I must say I really, really, love. I’m not sure what direction I will travel, because I am very new and in the “learning” stage (not on your map).I think once I have learned and traveled down the different paths, I will find what path suits me

Hello, When I first started this journey I stumbled across the “contest” path. At the time I thought it was what I was capable of doing, coming up with and idea and just click submit.I found myself not feeling good about that path, it just felt like something was not right. Currently I am on the “hard work” path, which I must say I really, really, love. I’m not sure what direction I will travel, because I am very new and in the “learning” stage (not on your map).I think once I have learned and traveled down the different paths, I will find what path suits me

Sally,Thank you for the comments. I’ve been thinking about what you wrote throughout my day.You are right, it is a journey and there are different paths. My son and I said it is like the different ski slopes or hiking trails; you can from a bunny trail to triple black diamond. The more difficult path often has better rewards. But you have to start somewhere.I probably will tweak my chart. I posted it to see if there was room for improvement. I feel like we are all learning. Knowing the basics gives you a foundation to build on. Each successive execution through the process hones your inventor skills.I think contests have their place. I submitted one idea EN because I figured what I proposed would be tough to get in front of WD-40. My objection is when contests become a crutch.On a whim I subscribed for e-mail updated for the WD-40 forum. I keep thinking that EN is like a $25 lottery ticket for some folks. People have multiple submissions for multiple contests.If I own the company that runs contests, it is in my best interest to have as many people submit as many ideas they possibly can. I want people to be in the dark. Keep every half baked idea coming. Ka-ching @ $25 a pop.If people had a little more guidance into how the process works they would do more up-front homework and have fewer submissions. Bad for the people running the contest, but good for the submitter because the idea they submit would have a greater probability for success. And they would spend less money to boot!The other thing lacking is feedback. Stephen Key has mentioned this in his podcasts. The article in Invention Digest about EN giving feedback is a joke. Their idea of feedback is telling you where you got stopped out on their dashboard. Not why you idea was eliminated. Again, keep you in the dark with the hope that you are one contest away from a million dollar pay-day.I get lots of ideas. Some are better than others. A lot of them someone already has thought of. To validate my idea, I can do some quick research and find out if there is already a product or patent out there before I spend any more time (or money) on it.Enough of a rant, thanks for the feedback

Sally,Thank you for the comments. I’ve been thinking about what you wrote throughout my day.You are right, it is a journey and there are different paths. My son and I said it is like the different ski slopes or hiking trails; you can from a bunny trail to triple black diamond. The more difficult path often has better rewards. But you have to start somewhere.I probably will tweak my chart. I posted it to see if there was room for improvement. I feel like we are all learning. Knowing the basics gives you a foundation to build on. Each successive execution through the process hones your inventor skills.I think contests have their place. I submitted one idea EN because I figured what I proposed would be tough to get in front of WD-40. My objection is when contests become a crutch.On a whim I subscribed for e-mail updated for the WD-40 forum. I keep thinking that EN is like a $25 lottery ticket for some folks. People have multiple submissions for multiple contests.If I own the company that runs contests, it is in my best interest to have as many people submit as many ideas they possibly can. I want people to be in the dark. Keep every half baked idea coming. Ka-ching @ $25 a pop.If people had a little more guidance into how the process works they would do more up-front homework and have fewer submissions. Bad for the people running the contest, but good for the submitter because the idea they submit would have a greater probability for success. And they would spend less money to boot!The other thing lacking is feedback. Stephen Key has mentioned this in his podcasts. The article in Invention Digest about EN giving feedback is a joke. Their idea of feedback is telling you where you got stopped out on their dashboard. Not why you idea was eliminated. Again, keep you in the dark with the hope that you are one contest away from a million dollar pay-day.I get lots of ideas. Some are better than others. A lot of them someone already has thought of. To validate my idea, I can do some quick research and find out if there is already a product or patent out there before I spend any more time (or money) on it.Enough of a rant, thanks for the feedback

Wow…..I truly get inspired reading the two of you talk. It’s what me and so many others work so hard to see happen. People to find the power within themselves to make their own path. What I’ve found over the years is for those with it, all it takes is some guidance and encouragement. For those without it, no amount of guidance or encouragement are going to get them to grab hold of their own destiny.When I think of some of the people watching that dashboard I am saddened to know they are just lost. However, when I see others, I am happy to know they found the place god meant them to be. We cannot all march in the parade of life….some will always be on the curb watching. Welcome to the parade Sally and Stephen – you can march by my side any time!

Wow…..I truly get inspired reading the two of you talk. It’s what me and so many others work so hard to see happen. People to find the power within themselves to make their own path. What I’ve found over the years is for those with it, all it takes is some guidance and encouragement. For those without it, no amount of guidance or encouragement are going to get them to grab hold of their own destiny.When I think of some of the people watching that dashboard I am saddened to know they are just lost. However, when I see others, I am happy to know they found the place god meant them to be. We cannot all march in the parade of life….some will always be on the curb watching. Welcome to the parade Sally and Stephen – you can march by my side any time!

Mark,Thanks for the comments. I love a parade.-Stephen

Mark,Thanks for the comments. I love a parade.-Stephen